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Something for the weekend....

A by-no-means comprehensive list of good things to do and see over the next couple of days

Published on June 1st 2007.

A NEW use for sat-nav this Saturday when that time-honoured hardy annual, the Lord Mayor's Parade, deftly negotiates the Big Dig with floats and flourish to brighten the craney landscape.

Initially, nobody seemed quite sure of the route – for obvious reasons – but now we've got a map (see here). Hopefully it will steer the carnival parade along an untroubled path through the city centre, away from those dead ends that keep springing up to surprise shoppers, and thus avoiding the spectacle of hundreds of floats having to do an abrupt about turn to come back the way they came.

Oh but stop being so churlish. The Lord Mayor's Parade is bigger and better than all that. So what can you expect? An extravaganza of vibrant colours and eye-catching floats from cultural and community groups and businesses across the city, that's what. Dramatic dance performances and drumming is also on the cards, bringing the city centre alive in celebration of the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor of Liverpool. There will also be “static” music and dance – on Castle Street and St George’s Hall. And all the the work made will favour pedal powered, pushed or carried means of transportation over motorised floats, in support of greener wishes for the city in the future.

Organisers hope 10,000 spectators will line the streets to cheer on the parade, which has also raised many thousands of pounds for the Lord Mayor’s charities over the years.

To celebrate Liverpool's 800th anniversary this year's theme will be "Everyone has a gift and a story”" and Walk The Plank, the Liverpool Lantern Company and the council have been putting artists together with local participants to create images that reflect their stories. There are lots of candles involved too and at the end of the procession expect a choreographic candle and confetti dance, to create a spectacular carnival climax .

THEY are a talented family those Shankars: Ravi, who taught Beatle George everything he knew about Indian music (Sgt Pepper album still 40 this weekend: put it on in the car), his funky late nephew, Ananda, and his esteemed daughter, blues singer Nora Jones. And yet there is another, Nora's half sister is the lovely Anoushka Shankar, every bit as proficient at tinkling the old sitar strings as her old man and here in Liverpool this Sunday. Her concert , at the Phil, rounds off The Indian Bazaar, a day of festivities, delicious Indian food, musical showcases and a market in the Phil's Grand Foyer and Rodewald Suite,Anoushka, a champion of maltreated animals, was named an an “Atalanta To Watch” by America's biggest advertising agency recently.

What's one of them? “Atalantas are a new group of women who embrace their independence. They are confident, passionate, adventurous and unwilling to settle for anything but the best,” it says here. Well the first three adjectives certainly sum up Miss Shankar's thoroughly modern sound. Get into the mesmerising groove, you'll like it.

PSST! Ever thought about buying some art on the cheap? Or maybe discovering the Tracy Emin or Damien Hirst of tomorrow, today? Then hop down to the Albert Dock and take a look at the final year degree shows by students at that most venerable institution, John Moores University’s School of Art and Design.

Eagerly awaited each year, the annual degree shows are the place to spot emerging artistic talent and visitors will be treated to exhibits ranging from illustration, graphic design, multi media, fashion and textiles to architecture and fine art.

The degree shows represent the culmination of three years of learning, research and development by JMU art and design students, and are expected to attract thousands of visitors.

Martin Downie, Director of the School of Art and Design, said: “Some great reputations have been launched at these shows in the past and this year visitors will see some of the best new work in the region. So, if you want to see the tomorrow’s stars of the art world today, come down to the Albert Dock.”

*JMU Final Year Degree Show, Albert Dock, 2a Myrtle Street and the Cornerstone Gallery, until June 17, 10am-4pm. Admission free.

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